X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

[Deuce]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

i bet thats like 5k easily to repair

Yeah... for the parts. Add another 4k for labour.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

The biggest problem with drivers here is they think they either have to be on the gas or brake, coasting and downshifting can make a big difference on slippery surfaces but we all know most Calgary drivers are invincible!

[R_Ethug]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

yes you will.. thats one good thing about tips.. although nothing wrong with downshifting an older auto either

[Wildfire]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

Whilst were on the subject, I have a question. Do you get the same engine braking effect on a auto-triptronic when shifting down?

[R_Ethug]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

jeff what i mean by boosting is

driving in 3rd gear at 2500RPM.. give gas and build 5-8lbs and rev to to 3500ish range and if ESP flashes thats my tell.. basically going 50km/hr to maybe 65... i sure as hell don't mean floor 3rd gear to redline and hit 160 LOL..

or do it in 2nd gear going 20km to 35-40 kinda deal.

our cars dont' need much to get a tire to lose traction on ice trust me.. plenty o' torque

as for coasting in neutral.. jayson you should be able to ride 2nd gear pretty long no?? or does your car want to stall?

i can ride 2nd gear down to basically 2km/hr without the car stalling


FWIW see this thread about me a few years back when I slid into a curb on ice

http://www.eurodrivers.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=7854

and check page 3 for the pic of my busted ass wheel/control arms/suspension/subframe

[MusicalGenius]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

I hear you completely, I know what I do if uncertain is while in first gear I'll give the engine a little extra gas. By the time 2,500 RPM rolls around if my ETS light isn't on I know the road has more traction than it lets on. Most of the time though I'll have that light solid and know to ease back and just let my torque really pull me forwards, not gunning or gassing it just easing it. You'd be amazed how good the roads I was on this morning were, Memorial and Crowchild were smooth sailing (outside of the other drivers). It only being -2ºC sure did help, although it was a different morning, since it's been cold for the past few days the roads were icier with more traction, than wetter with less. It was odd but I wasn't going to complain. Especially since I got to work early today.

[Jester B]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

Coasting in neutral at ~10km/h is far better than either riding the clutch or hovering your car at it's stall point.

Fair enough, I didn't think of the "near stall speed issue".

From what Jan Ryan mentioned about boosting I'm pretty sure he either meant that you hit the point where boost kicks in to simply test the possible traction available on the road. Not actually boosting through and continuing to accelerate recklessly.

I interpreted this one as the "build up the torque and see what breaks free of traction". I'm not going to say that I don't do it...sometimes it's just plain fun to do. However, when it's as bad around as it has been for the past couple of days, I don't know that this test is even necessary.

[MusicalGenius]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

I have to say that this thread has me a bit concerned.

I am reading a lot of statements that scream "inexperience". Testing traction by getting into boost? Driving in neutral at ANY time? I think there are a lot of kids who follow these forums and I'd hate for them to pick up these suggestions as good ideas.

If you think it may be slippery, slow down (smoothly....ease off the gas; don't "lift") one at a slower speed you should be able to feel the road through normal steering feedback.

Never EVER operate a vehicle in neutral. Acceleration and engine braking are part of basic vehicle control. You may as well just get it pontes in the direction you want to go and let go of the wheel, then hope for the best.

Finally, the first snow. It's always a bugger because it's always the most slippery. The pavement isn't frozen to start, so the first part of the snowfall melts. Then it becomes slushy with high water content. Then the snow collects on top and firms a layer of wet ice (that part is the killer). But then the top looks like a normal mid-winter snow. We all remember driving in that as it is what we are most used to. But the first snow is different. And sometimes, like it seems happened to Reggie, it bites us in spite of tires, technology, and skill.

Coasting in neutral at ~10km/h is far better than either riding the clutch or hovering your car at it's stall point. From what Jan Ryan mentioned about boosting I'm pretty sure he either meant that you hit the point where boost kicks in to simply test the possible traction available on the road. Not actually boosting through and continuing to accelerate recklessly.

It seems to me that you simply misread or misinterpreted some of the statements posted earlier.

[big shane]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

listen to all these coaches i am sure most of us has been there before

[Jester B]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

I have to say that this thread has me a bit concerned.

I am reading a lot of statements that scream "inexperience". Testing traction by getting into boost? Driving in neutral at ANY time? I think there are a lot of kids who follow these forums and I'd hate for them to pick up these suggestions as good ideas.

If you think it may be slippery, slow down (smoothly....ease off the gas; don't "lift") one at a slower speed you should be able to feel the road through normal steering feedback.

Never EVER operate a vehicle in neutral. Acceleration and engine braking are part of basic vehicle control. You may as well just get it pontes in the direction you want to go and let go of the wheel, then hope for the best.

Finally, the first snow. It's always a bugger because it's always the most slippery. The pavement isn't frozen to start, so the first part of the snowfall melts. Then it becomes slushy with high water content. Then the snow collects on top and firms a layer of wet ice (that part is the killer). But then the top looks like a normal mid-winter snow. We all remember driving in that as it is what we are most used to. But the first snow is different. And sometimes, like it seems happened to Reggie, it bites us in spite of tires, technology, and skill.

[R_Ethug]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

time for a beater..

[Reggie@MWDesign]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

Sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad to see that you're taking the responsibility for it, bravo! Looks like a bit of youthful inexperience and exuberence caused some broken plastic and sheetmetal. At least no innocents were hurt. It's tough to hear about your insurance rate, but it seems like it's about right based on what you've shared about your driving record. I'll bet that everbodys rate will increase after this week!
I hope you get the car fixed soon, I always liked what you've done with it, looks great.

This is going to be the third winter that i'd be using this car in. I have had some close calls in the past, but this definitely was a scary one.

[p951]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

Sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad to see that you're taking the responsibility for it, bravo! Looks like a bit of youthful inexperience and exuberence caused some broken plastic and sheetmetal. At least no innocents were hurt. It's tough to hear about your insurance rate, but it seems like it's about right based on what you've shared about your driving record. I'll bet that everbodys rate will increase after this week!
I hope you get the car fixed soon, I always liked what you've done with it, looks great.

[R_Ethug]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

yea.. sometimes its easier to just leave the traction control off and let the AWD do the work for you.. depends on your driving skill though.. i've had ESP save my ass a few times in my old jetta and s4..

[Reggie@MWDesign]

Re: X-drive? Whatever...What way to start a day.

well whats done is done i never braked till i hit the ditch.

i always kept in mind that my front wheels will pull me but it was straight up to icy and the wheels spun.